Our people NEW PLAQUE REMEMBERS ETTIE ROUT, SAFE SEX PIONEER

A plaque to remember the work of World War One safe sex pioneer Ettie Rout is to be unveiled in the Rarotonga cemetery where she is buried.

The NZ Remembrance Army has arranged the plaque. Spokesperson

Teresa Cousins said it was important to not forget the pivotal contribution Ettie made in keeping troops sexually safe in WWI. “Even if she was ostracised from society for doing so. She took her own life in Rarotonga thinking she was forgotten and unappreciated. The plaque unveiling shines a light on her genius in keeping our boys from unnecessary harm while away from NZ in Egypt and France.”

Ettie Rout’s grave is in the Avarua Cook Islands Christian Church cemetery.

Rout was a daring and adventurous woman who pioneered safer sex initiatives for New Zealand troops in WWI.

She designed a safer sex kit which was adopted by the New Zealand Army – and at her insistence it was compulsory: soldiers had to take one when going on leave. In Paris she set up safer sex brothel – and ran a total social and sexual welfare service for New Zealand troops. She saw the high venereal disease rate among New Zealand soldiers as a medical problem, not a moral one. Telling the men not to take the risk of having sex clearly didn’t work. She was accused of ‘trying to make vice safe’. She answered, ‘Why should it be left dangerous?’ – as she developed methods that worked.

Bugler Doug, 85, turns out no matter what

Cambridge bugler Doug Rose may be 85 but he has no intention of packing his musical instruments away.

The former New Zealand Army Band member’s musical talents are in demand all year round, but particularly so on Anzac Day.

“I have always been in brass bands since I first picked up a cornet when I was nine,” says Doug.

He enlisted in the New Zealand Army Band in 1967, and completed 15 years with the band. He then transferred to 16 Fd Regiment RNZA as Cadre NCO to the Artillery Band in Auckland for a further five years to complete 20 years service. He remains a member of the Cambridge Community Band, and the Matamata Brass Band.

“I love playing my cornet, and the camaraderie of being in a band.

I consider it an honour to play on Anzac Day, and also to sound The Last Post at a veteran’s funeral.”

For the latter he uses a 1916 bugle. “It has a beautiful sound –there’s nothing like it.”